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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Struggling to pick a name for our 4 day old

113 replies

Luckyasall · 20/12/2024 15:09

DH and I welcome our lovely little baby girl into the world 4 days ago, before she was born we had a list of names we liked but decided to wait until she was here to decide for sure, but now we still can't quite decide and I'm not sure how much longer I can go on calling her baby girl!

Our shortlist is
Leonora (personal favourite)
Arabella (DHs personal favourite)
Clara (seasonal contender, we go to see the nutcracker every year and baby girl was born on the day we were due to go see it this year)
Madeleine (really not a fan of Maddy as a nickname).

My personal choice would be Leonora with Clara as a middle name in place of using Elizabeth (both of our grandmas are Elizabeth but I'm not really attached to using this and it feels like we are filling a gap).

So full name Leonora Clara Taylor-Scott

But DH is worried it doesn't flow well so thinks either

Arabella Clara or Clara Arabella would be better.

Madeleine is the name we first set on naming a little girl when we got married and started TTC but I'm not sure it feels right now.

Any thoughts?

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sinckersnack · 20/12/2024 16:41

PickledElectricity · 20/12/2024 15:28

Leonora Elizabeth Clara.

It's ok to have 2 middle names! The telegraph birth announcements is full of 2+ middle names Xmas Wink

That's exactly what I was going to say. Makes it flow beautifully

PastaAndProse · 20/12/2024 16:39

No one will ever use the middle name day to day. Leonora Taylor-Scott is absolutely fine.

Newgreensofa · 20/12/2024 16:37

Clara Arabella means initials will be CATS - which is sweet but just to bear in mind.
When I first read your post, my thought was “Amy” - Leonora Amy Taylor-Scott. Ivy or Evie would work well but it’s the initials again!
How about Clara Beth?
Congratulations!

BootballJoy · 20/12/2024 16:31

I like Madeleine as a middle name. I'd personally go for Leonora Madeleine. Clara is nice too though.

shoopshoopdedoo · 20/12/2024 16:22

Clara Elizabeth is the stand out winner to me!

I like the personal significance that Clara has for you, and I personally don’t really see the point of middle names unless there is some meaning behind them. Elizabeth is perfect.

Also, I don’t like Madeleine (Maddy), and Arabella and Leonora are far too frilly for my taste. Especially with a double-barrelled surname.

NewName24 · 20/12/2024 16:13

Agree with pp that 'first name, middle name, surname' don't have to flow as you only get them read out together at your graduation (and when being sentenced, if Porridge is anything to go by).
However I think a 4 syllable first name is a bit much when you are double barrelling the surname. That's 7 syllables every time she gives her name.

Not much help, as both your and your dh's favourite names are both 4 syllable.

FutureFry · 20/12/2024 16:12

I love both Leonora and Arabella.

Leonora is so classically beautiful.

I especially love the nns Bella or Ari

Congratulations OP. Whichever name you go with, it will be beautiful.

newtb · 20/12/2024 16:05

There's always Lenore as an alternative to Leonora they are all variations of Helen as is Eleanor.

Needmorelego · 20/12/2024 15:54

I like Clara Elizabeth 🙂

ridl14 · 20/12/2024 15:53

Love Leonora Clara! And Leonora Clara Elizabeth as some have suggested.

PickledElectricity · 20/12/2024 15:51

Luckyasall · 20/12/2024 15:30

Do you think Leonora Elizabeth Clara or Leonora Clara Elizabeth flow better?

Show quote history

When I say them out loud Leonora Elizabeth Clara sounds better. I think this is because the two names ending in A are broken up by the name ending in a consonant.

MinistryofThyme · 20/12/2024 15:48

I like Clara in its own right, but I wouldn’t name a baby (who is also a person in their own right) after a single event around their birth / the time of year they happened to be born. If it’s your most beloved name, go for it. Otherwise I think look elsewhere!

I really don’t like Arabella, and I love Leonora! So if I were you, that. They feel quite different though - one is very frilly and the other a little more no-nonsense? This might mean there will always be a compromise in your naming tastes!

The other thing that struck me is Elizabeth Taylor (Scott)? Maybe a baby born in 2024 won’t mind but it did catch my attention.

Onelifeonly22 · 20/12/2024 15:46

Noone ever says the full name though so Leonora Cara also works and use Arabella Elizabeth if there is a next time!

Onelifeonly22 · 20/12/2024 15:44

I think Clara Elizabeth flows the best especially with last name and I love the meaning behind it.

RandomMess · 20/12/2024 15:44

Clara Elizabeth then.

You both feel Clara is special and "her".

You can leave it a little while yet and see if the Clara pull wears off.

PromoJoJo · 20/12/2024 15:44

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request.

JC03745 · 20/12/2024 15:43

Congrats! All but Clara are 4 syllable names, so with a hyphenated surname as well, its quite long and a mouthful. The multiple names ending in A is a bit much too, and I agree- they don't flow. In saying that, how often will someone be calling her both her 1st and middle names together?

I like Clara Elizabeth. To me, it flows better with your long surname and if she doesn't like Clara, could use any number of NN from Elizabeth- Liz, Lizzy, Beth, Liza, Bethany etc.

Bunkbedbunk · 20/12/2024 15:41

I love the name Madeline but no longer would use it due to its association with MMcC

Bunkbedbunk · 20/12/2024 15:41

There are so many Bellas around. So I'd go with Leonora which I think is beautiful

mathanxiety · 20/12/2024 15:40

Luckyasall · 20/12/2024 15:30

Do you think Leonora Elizabeth Clara or Leonora Clara Elizabeth flow better?

Show quote history

Leonora Clara Elizabeth flows best if you're using two middle names. Imo.

mathanxiety · 20/12/2024 15:39

Clara Arabella flows best.
Clara Leonora would be nice too.
However, with a double barreled surname of three syllables, Clara sounds a little short.

Leonora Clara is clunky. The rhythm is wrong. I love Leonora but not with Clara as middle name.
Leonora Elizabeth would be lovely.

Arabella Elizabeth would be nice too.

Madeleine Arabella would be nice.

HollyChristmas · 20/12/2024 15:38

Posted upthread , but honestly babies / children / us are only really known as first and second names only so commenting on the nicest way , your baby brain is overthinking this .
Just go with what you feel goes best ( first name ) with your surname as middle names are pretty irrelevant anyway !

Original poster
Luckyasall · 20/12/2024 15:36

Fireworknight · 20/12/2024 15:33

Leona instead of Leonora?

Clarabelle - combination of Clara and Arabella?

Don't really like Leona or Clarabelle.

Not so much looking for new name ideas as the best of the ideas we have.

DH has just said that he is happy with Leonora if that's what I want but he feels like she's more of a Clara!

Maybe Clara is the way to go and she was telling us that is her name by cancelling our plans!

OP posts:
Marmiteontoastgirlie · 20/12/2024 15:35

Leonora Elizabeth Taylor-Scott

nn Nora is really fresh.

Then you can use Arabella / Clara for next girl if you have another one.

Fireworknight · 20/12/2024 15:33

Leona instead of Leonora?

Clarabelle - combination of Clara and Arabella?

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